How underwater is your ZIP code?

The number of San Diego County homeowners freed from negative equity increased in 2012 and is expected to keep climbing in 2013. Still, there are several neighborhoods struggling with high levels of underwater mortgages.

Countywide, the percentage of homeowners with negative equity, when you owe more on your home than it's worth, is at 28 percent. That's down from 31 percent in the third quarter, recent Zillow numbers show.

More than 40 ZIP codes exceed the county's current negative-equity rate.

Topping that list are southeast Chula Vista and the Chula Vista/Otay Ranch/Eastlake area. In both areas, nearly 47 percent of property owners with a mortgage are underwater. Mission Valley follows at 45 percent.